Method and means for perforating and exposing webs of film and paper



Sept. 9, 1969 c. A. NAPOR E AL 3,466,128

METHOD AND MEANS FOR PERFORATING AND EXPOSING WEBS 0F FILM AND PAPER Filed Dec. 16, 1965 8 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS (44% A. N4 0 HILL/4M 7- [Area C. A. NAPOR" ET AL 3,466,128 METHOD AND MEANS FOR PERFORATING AND EXPOSING WEBS OF FILM AND PAPER Filed Dec. 16, 1965 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 t; INVENTORS ATTOQNFY Q Cm A. mm?

Sept. 9, E969 c. A. NAPOR ET 7 3,465,123

METHOD AND MEANS FOR PERFORATING AND EXPOSlNG WEBS 0F FILM AND PAPER Filed Dec. 16, 1965 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS CA L fi. NAPOQ BY Mam v 7. Even Sept. 9, 1969 c, NAPQR ETAL 3,466,128

METHOD AND MEANS FOR PERFORATING AND EXPOSING WEBS OF FILM AND PAPER Filed Dec. 16, 1965 8 Sheets-Sheet 4.

INVENTORS CAQI. A N690)? Mcunm 77 EN L ATTOQNEY Y TimlE.

Sept. 9, 1969 c. A. NAPOR ETAI- 3,456,128

METHOD AND MEANS FOR PERFORATING AND EXPOSING WEBS 0F FILM AND PAPER Filed Dec. 16, 1965 s Sheets-Sheet 5 7mm WM/ Sept. 9, 969 (2. A. NAPOR ETAL 3,466,123

METHOD AND MEANS FOR PERFORATING AND EXPOSING WEBS OF FILM AND PAPER 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Dec. 16, 1965 l/wavmvs CA4; 1 NAPQQ Mum v T fn'aa. m Md ATTOQNGY Sept. 9, 1969 c, NAPQR ET AL 3,466,128

METHOD AND MEANS FOR PERFORATING AND EXPOSING WEBS OF FILM AND PAPER Filed Dec. 16, 1965 a Sheets-Sheet 7 qzl INVENTORS 094% A. NIPQQ {07. BY Mum/v 7 E ma fifTO/QNEY Sept. 9, 1969 c. A. NAPOR ET AL 3.466.123

METHOD AND MEANS FOR PERFORATING AND EXPOSING WEBS OF FILM AND PAPER Filed Dec. 16, 1965 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTORS CA L A. NAPQ BY WILL/AM 7." ENGEL Amman Mg United States Patent us. Cl. 355-89 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A machine for processing rolls of sensitized film or rolls of related protective film indicator paper prior to the cutting of the rolls into short lengths for insertion into film cartridges. The cut lengths of film and paper require particular patterns of punch marks. In addition, certain other indicia is applied to the film by exposing the film to a printing means. The apparatus includes a mounting for supply rolls of paper or film and a spaced takeup roller. A punching means and the light exposing means are mounted on a support frame for processing an unwound portion of the film or paper intermediate the supply roll and the takeup roll. In order to permit punching of the necessary perforations, the portion of the film or paper between the supply and takeup rollers is only intermittently advanced. This intermittent advance is attained by including slack receiving means on both sides of the punch so that the film supply spool of the film takeup spool may be continuously rotated while central portions of the strips at the punch are intermittently advanced out of and into the slack takeup means. The film drive for the printing is synchronized with the punching drive so that the printed indicia is positioned with respect to the punches.

The present invention relates to a method and means for loading and assembling hollow film cartridges and more particularly to a novel method and means for processing a film and a protective paper strip for the assembly operation.

Film cartridges of the type using these strips or webs of paper and film are now in wide use in still cameras. Each cartridge includes an outer plastic casing enclosing a film advancing roll and a short strip of film and a protective and indicator paper. One such cartridge is described, for example, in United States Patent No. 3,138,081.

The present invention relates more patricularly to automatic processing machinery for notching a sensitized film strip and a related protective and indicator strip of paper prior to their insertion into the cartridge by automatic machinery. This preparation includes the perforation of a paper web at predetermined positions and a generally similar perforation and an exposure or flashing of a sensitized film web to prepare it for being cut and rolled with lengths of the paper web. The sensitized film is flashed or exposed during the process to provide for picture frames and frame numbers which will be developed in the final film processing to appear on the film negatives and these exposed portions are positioned at predetermined locations with respect to the film perforations.

The apparatus of the present invention receives long rolled webs of film or paper and processes these webs as rolls permitting the rolls to be transferred directly to a final film cartridge assembly means.

Accordingly an object of the present invention is to provide an improved method and means for processing or perforating elongated webs.

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Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved method and means for intermittently perforating predetermined sections of an elongated web.

Another object of the present inventio is to provide a method and means for use in assembling film cartridges which include short perforated lengths of paper and film.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fully automatic method and apparatus for forming a predetermined perforated pattern on elongated webs at spaced intervals.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved method and means for forming a coordinated pattern of perforations and exposed images on a web of sensitized film.

Other and further objects of the invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiment about to be described, or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description and is shown in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the specification, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a preferred embodiment of a web perforating means;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a short section of the web illustrating a typical perforation pattern;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged detailed view partially in section of the punch assembly;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the punch assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detailed elevational view partially in section of a punch head;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are enlarged detailed sectional views of the punch head showing two positions of the punch;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged front elevational view of another section of the punch assembly of an intermittent drive for the web;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view partially i section of the drive means of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the punch and drive of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged side elevational view partially in section of the punch of FIG. 8;

FIGS. 12 and 13 are enlarged detailed sectional views of the punch head of the punch of FIG. 11 showing two positions of the punch head;

FIG. 14 is a detailed elevational view of an alternate embodiment having a web drive and a web flashing means for exposing sensitized film;

FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the drive and flashing means of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged front elevational view illustrating the intermittent web drive of FIG. 14 for the perforated film;

FIG. 17 is a rear elevational view of the drive of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view of the drive of FIG. 17 taken along line 18--18 Of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a side elevational view of the drive of FIGS. 17 and 18;

FIG. 20 is an enlarged detailed view partially in section of the film flashing means;

FIGS. 21 and 22 are sectional views of the film flashing means taken along lines 2121 and 2222 respectively on FIG. 20; and

FIG. 23 is a plan view of a section of film showing the perforations and the exposure pattern of the film flashing operation.

The apparatus and method of the invention will first be described generally with particular reference to FIG. 1. The elongated webs 1 of the material to be perforated are supplied on suitable spools 2 and mounted at one end 3 of the apparatus 4 to permit the web or strip 1 to be passed through a series of punches 5 or other processing means and returned to a similar spool 6 supported in the same plane on the machine frame 7. The web 1 is arranged to provide an intermittent feed to the perforating punches 5 while providing for a generally continuous supply of the web 1 from the feed spool 2 toward the punches 5 and a generally continuous return of the web 1 from a point beyond the punches 5 to the takeup spool 6. This difference in movement of the intermediate portion of the web 1 is accommodated for by including a slack accommodating means on both sides of the punching or other processing mechanism which permits the intermit tent drive to operate on the intermediate portions of the web 1 while permitting a generally continuous passage of the web from the supply spool 2 and onto the takeup spool 6.

As will be more fully described below, the generally continuous web drive from the spool 2 is provided by a drive roller 15 and the takeup spool 6 is turned continuously but through a slip clutch 9 (FIG. 10). An intermittently driven roller 45 positioned beyond the punches 5 provides for the intermittent movement of the paper web 1 beneath the punches 5 and the punching action of the punches is controlled in the preferred embodiment by a photocell 49 which is activated by a flag or indicator 12 (FIG. 2) which in the case of the paper roll is preferably pre-printed on the roll prior to this perforating operation together with a series of frame indicating numbers 13 which are placed in a series of predetermined spaces in relationship to the flag 12.

The perforating and processing systems will now be described in greater detail. The paper perforating process and apparatus will first be described and then the arrange ment of the film perforating and processing apparatus will be described where it differs from the process and apparatus employed for the paper perforating operation.

THE WEB SUPPORT AND DRIVE MECHANISM As best illustrated in FIG. 1, the web of paper 1 is passed from a supply roll 2 through a slack control means 18 to punches 5 and then through a slack control means 24' to a takeup roll 6 during the perforating operation. The supply roll 2 is mounted on a suitable spool 16 positioned to direct the end of the web over a series of guide rollers to a drive wheel 15.

The drive system for drive wheel 15 is best illustrated in FIG. 10 which shows the supply roll 2 mounted on a free running spool 16 with a drag bar 17 engaging the outer surface of the paper to control the rotation of the roll 2 and to prevent overfeed. The drive wheel 15 which draws the web 1 from the roll 2 and passes it into the slack storage means 18 is coupled to a continuous drive motor 19 preferably including a speed control.

A means for controlling the feeding speed of the web. 1 by the drive wheel 15 is positioned between the motor 19 and the drive wheel 15. This speed control means will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 10.

As already indicated, in normal operation the drive wheel 15 rotates continuously to draw the web from the spool 2 and to feed it to the punches 5. Since the web is only intermittently advanced beneath the punches 5, a slack control 18 is positioned between the drive wheel 15 and the punches 5. This slack control comprises a rotatably mounted arm 20 including several web feed rollers 21. The web is fed over the rollers 21 in several loops, as illustrated, between the arm 20 and a pair of fixed guide rollers 22 adjacent the punches 5. It is seen that as the slack arm 20 rotates about its pivotal mounting 23, the amount of web stored by the drive roller 15 and the punches 5 may vary appreciable without effecting a rela- 4 tively continuous drive of the web 1 from the spool 2 by the drive wheel 15.

A speeed con trol cam 24 is attached to the pivoted end 23 of the arm 20 to provide for variations in the drive speed of the wheel 15 to accommodate for major varia* tion in the necessary drive speed of the web 1. A first control function is provided by a raised portion 25 on the cam 24 which operates to cut off the drive altogether when the web breaks or when the end of the spool 2 is reached. When this happens to the release of web tension on the arm 20 will roiate it in a counter clockwise direction causing the raised portion 25 of the cam 24 to close the stop switch 26, which de-energizes the drive motor 19. As soon as the web is rethreaded over the rollers 21 and the arm 20 will return clockwise into its operating zone and the stop switch 26 will be opened permitting normal operation to continue.

In addition, a two-speed coupling is preferably provided which causes the drive wheel 15 to run at regular speed to furnish the web I normally but which provides for a higher drive speed for the wheel 15 when the arm rotates a predetermined amount in a counter clockwise direction caused by an appreciable reduction in the amount of slack provided in the slack loops. A speed control switch 27 is mounted adjacent the speed control cam 24 and when a normal amount of slack is provided, this switch 27 will be held in its normal position by the cam. When the speed control cam rotates a predetermined amount in a counter clockwise direction, however, the arm of the switch 27 will be activated by the cam 24 to move the switch 27 to a high speed position to operate the high speed drive in a manner which will now be described with particular reference to FIG. 10.

FIG. 10 illustrates the drive motor 19 for the drive wheel 15 coupled by a main drive shaft 28 through the coupling belt 29. The mounting shaft 30 for the drive wheel 15 is illustrated above the main drive shaft 28. This mounting shaft 30 is alternatively driven from the main drive shaft 28 by one or the other of the two clutches 31 and 32 depending upon the output speed required for the drive wheel 15. The clutches 31 and 32 include drive pulleys 33 and 34 mounted on rotating sleeves mounted co-axially with the drive shaft 30. The left-hand pulley 33 is driven at the regular drive speed through a belt coupling 35 having a predetermined driven speed ratio. The right-hand pulley 34 is driven at a higher speed by a belt coupling 36 providing a higher speed coupling. The disconnect portions of both clutches are coupled to the drive shaft 30 for the drive wheel 15 so that the speed of the shaft 30 depends upon which clutch is energized. The particular clutch energized is controlled by the above described control switch 27 operated by the slack storage arm 20 so that the high speed drive is obtained when it is necessary to restore additional web in the slack storage means 18.

The takeup roll 6 is driven through a fluid clutch 9 which is driven by a normally continuously operating drive motor 40. A cut-off device including an arm 41 held against the spool 6 by web tension is mounted adjacent the takeup spool 6. The arm 41 has an actuator surface 42 positioned to engage a microswitch 43 in the con trol system for motor 49 to stop motor when no web is present on the arm 41 such as occurs if the web 1 breaks or when the end of the web 1 is reached.

THE DRIVE SYSTEM FOR THE INTERMITTEN'I PUNCH FEEDING SYSTEM As described above, slack providing means 18 and 24 are mounted on opposite sides of the punches 5 to permit an intermittent advance of the web 1 into the punches 5. This intermittent drive for the web 1 at the punches 5 is provided by the punch drive wheel 45 mounted beyond the punches 5 as best illustrated in detailed FIGS. 8 and 9. These figures show the intermittent punch drive wheel 45 rotatably mounted on the machine frame 7 and attached through an electrically activated clutch and brake member 46 to a suitable continuously operating drive motor 47. The clutch 48 is normally activated to advance the web 1 at the punch position beneath the several punching heads of punch 5 which will be further described below. The clutch 48 is deactivated by a photocell 49 and control system which is controlled by a printed flag 12 on an advancing paper strip. As the clutch 48 is deactivated by the operation of the photocell 49 the brake 51 is automatically energized to provide for a substantially instantaneous braking of the drive Wheel 45 movement so that the web 1 is positioned exactly in the desired position. As the brake 51 is applied by the photocell 49 and the web 1 is stopped, the punch operating system is simultaneously activated causing the punches 5 to move downwardly to perforate the paper. The endmost punch 54 has a paper advance rod 52 attached to it and so positioned that it closes the paper advance 53 microswitch when the punch 54 reaches its lowermost position. The closing of this microswitch 53 simultaneously raises the punches 5 and reactivates or closes the drive clutch 48 and releases the brake 51 cansing the web 1 to continue to advance through the punches 5 until the next flag 12 on the web 1 again activates the photocell 49 to repeat the above described punching operation.

In the above described control operation for stopping the web 1 it is clear that the web 1 must be stationary prior to the punching operation and also that punches 5 clear the web on the up stroke prior to the subsequent advance of the web 1. The preferred means for activating the punches, as will be described more fully :below, includes electrically controlled air valves for air-operated punch pistons. The normal characteristics of such electrical controls for the pistons and of the related clutch and brakes have been found to provide this sequence when the brakes and punches are controlled by a conventional multi-contact electrical relay closed by the photocell system and reopened by the punch operated switch 53. If additional timing adjustments are necessary, they may be readily obtained by built-in controls normally provided on the electrically operated air control valves for this type of air motor.

In addition, it is necessary that the switch 53 override the photocell signal after it is operated for a sufficient period to permit the flag 12 to clear the light field of the photocell. This result has also been found to be readily obtainable resulting from the normal dwell period provided at the bottom of the punch stroke so that the punch has cleared the paper and the paper advancing clutch is reenergized permitting the flag 12 to move away from the photocell and so that the control circuit then passes through another complete cycle. It is also possible to employ a commercially available photocell control circuit which includes an adjustable deactivation circuit which prevents reactivation of the photocell for a sufficient period to permit the above described advance of the Web under the control of the punch activated switch 53 after the punching operation.

THE PAPER PERFORATING PUNCHES FIG. 2 illustrates a section of the paper web 1 and shows a typical pattern of perforations 60 as required for the protective paper used in the film cartridges. The web of paper 1 is processed to include a number of elongated perforations 60 at one edge to permit the control of the film advancing operation in the camera. In addition, a con trol perforation 61 is provided in advance of these perforations for use in a typical automated cartridge loading operation. The above described control flag 12 is also provided on the paper to cooperate with the photocell 49 to provide the intermittent web advance and to assure the exact positioning of the web 1 during the perforating step. The web 1 also preferably has a series of frame indicias 13 pre-printed thereon the position of which is set relative to the control flag 12 to assure that the frame indicia 13 are properly positioned with respect to the side perforations 60 and the control perforation 61.

A preferred embodiment of the punches 5 for forming the side perforations 60 is illustrated in FIGS. 3 through 7. In order to provide for a uniform and precise punching operation several sections 63 are provided each of which includes a punching head 64 including punch pins 65. A floating guide plate is spring mounted on pins 66 to grip the web 1 for the punching operation. Each of the sections are supported on air-operated drive cylinders or motors 54 simultaneously controlled through regular electrically operated air valves connected to the above described photocell control system. The central control perforation 61 which is typically spaced some distance from the side perforations 60' is formed by a separate punching head 68 as illustrated in FIGS. 11 through 13 which includes a floating clamp member 69 and a punching pin 70 mounted on a punching head 71 driven by an air operated drive cylinder or motor 72 operated by the same control system and synchronized by having its electrical control solenoid connected in series with those of the drive cylinders 54.

AN ALTERNATE EMBODIMENT INCLUDING A FILM EXPOSING MEANS As already indicated, the perforated web 1 as prepared on the above described web punching apparatus is used together with a sensitized film strip. In a final assembly process, a scroll or roll of the film and paper is formed and is inserted in a hollow plastic cartridge to provide a finished cartridge. Control sprocket holes are provided in the sensitized film 81 for controlling the film rolling in the cartridge. There must correspond to the similar but larger holes 60 in the paper strips to permit entry of the control sprocket or other members through the combined layers of the paper and film in the magazine.

Accordingly, apparatus generally similar to that described above is provided to punch a series of generally similar perforations 80 at the edge of a web of film 81. This film is supplied from a suitable supply spool by a generally continuous feed as described above for web 1 and by passing it through a silimar punch arrangement under the control of an intermittent film drive.

Preferably, however, an additional process is performed on the sensitized film. This operation comprises the exposure of the sensitized film at a series of flashing drums where the various drums expose the film to form images of the picture frames 82 as well as the frame members 83 as seen in FIG. 23. In order that the frames and the numbers are properly positioned on the web 81 of the sensitized film and also so that these exposures are precisely located with respect to the sprocket holes 80, the intermittent film strip advancing wheel 84 itself is provided with control sprocket teeth 85 which cooperate with the perforations 80 formed by the punches. The flashing drums, which will be further described below, also include sprocket teeth which engage the same perforations 80 on the advancing film web 81.

This alternate embodiment of the perforating system is provided in place of the right-hand drive panel already described for the paper perforating machine. The details of this alternate embodiment including the film drive and the film flashing drums are illustrated in detail in FIGS. l423.

As is the case with the paper web 1, it is also necessary to provide an intermittent advancement of the film to the punches 5 to permit a dwell period for the punching operation. This intermittent drive is provided by the sprocketed drive wheel 84 illustrated in FIG. 16 including a series of drive sprocket teeth 85 on its periphery which engage the punched holes 80 in the film web.

The circumference of the drive wheel 84 is proportioned to advance the film 81 one film length for each revolution. The wheel 84 is intermittently turned one exact revolution to advance the film 81 to the correct position beneath the punches 5. In order to assure a precise single turn of the wheel 84, a latch controlled drive means is employed as best illustrated in FIGS. 17-19.

The source of power for the drive is an electric motor (not shown) coupled to a drive pulley 86 by a suitable drive belt 8 7. The pulley 86 is coupled to a cam shaft "88 by gears 89 and 90. The cam shaft 88 mounts a pair of cams 91 and 92'. The first cam 91 activates a clutch 92 through a suitable switch 93 thereby periodically coupling the drive wheel 84 to the continuously turning drive pulley 86 through shaft 94. The second cam 92 controls an electric brake 96 by a suitable switch 97. The brake 96 is applied to wheel 84 through gears 98 and 99 and shaft 94 whenever the drive clutch 92 is opened. The brake 96 provides a general control to prevent sprocket movement during the dwell periods.

In addition, a positive stop cam 100 is mounted on shaft 94 to stop the rotation of the drive wheel 84 at the same identical position each time that the clutch 92 is opened and the brake 96 applied. The stop cam is so positioned that it is engaged slightly before the brake 96 and so that it is released before the brake is released so that its positioning action is positive and so that it overrides the general control provided by the brake 96. An elongated latch arm 101 is best illustrated in FIG. 17 pivotally mounted at 102 and having its lower end 103 positioned to engage a stop surface 104 on the rotating stop cam 100 on the drive shaft 94. The latch arm 101 is raised from its latched position at the proper interval by a latch operating cam 105 on the cam shaft 88 which is proportioned to raise the latch arm 101 clear of the stop cam 100 just prior to the energizing of the clutch 92 and to drop the latch arm back onto the stop cam 100 prior to the return of the stop surface 104 of the stop cam 100 to its latched position adjacent the abutting end 103 of the latch arm 101.

It is thus seen that the above described mechanism provides an intermittent full revolution of the drive Wheel 84 and also that the full revolution is controlled so that it always turns from the same start and stop position.

THE. FILM FLASHING SYSTEM A final processing operation is performed on the sensitized film web 81 between the drive wheel 84 and the takeup spool 6. This is the flashing or exposing operation where various indicias of other information are applied in an exposed but undeveloped state onto the sensitized film 81. A preferred means for applying this information comprises a series of free-running flashing drums as best illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 20 thru 22.

For convenience, the entire film processing apparatus is positioned in a darkened room to permit the light sensitive film to be handled in the above described manner and without requiring the entire machine itself to be enclosed. In the flashing operation, the film '81 passes around three drums 110, 111 and 112 which each contain suitable light sources and a cylindrical mask or screen including apertures cut to expose the desired areas of the light sensitive film 81 to these interior light sources.

The first flashing drum 110, for example, may be used to expose a pair of parallel strips at opposite edges of the film to partially form the picture frames 82. This drum 110, which is mounted for free rotation on a suitable shaft 114, surrounds a stationary light source 115 (FIG. 21) mounted on the machine frame 7 immediately adjacent a cylindrical flashing screen 116 connected to the rotatably mounted drum face 117. The film which continuously passes over the drum 110 is exposed to two parallel translucent rings 118 Whose narrow outer edge transmits the light to the film and thereby exposes the film to form latent images of the desired spaced film frame sides. A generally similar drum 112, as illustrated in FIG. 22, includes a similar light source 119 but exposes the film to a series of translucent cross-bars or openings 120 oriented laterally of the moving film and properly positioned on the circumference of the flashing drum 112 to complete picture frames '82 (FIG. 23) of the desired size. Additional information such as frame numbers, trademarks, and emulsion numbers is supplied by the third and generally similar rotating drum 111 which includes a similar light source 121 and which has an apertured stencil 122 containing Whatever of the above desired information is to be exposed onto the moving film strip 81.

After the punched and exposed film 81 leaves the final flashing drum 112, it is fed to a rotating pick-up spool 6 including a Web tensioning arm as described above for the paper perforator.

The flashing drum described above, makes one revolution for each strip of film. As illustrated in FIG. 14, a counter 123 is coupled to this rotating drum 110 by a belt 124 to provide an accurate count of the num ber of film strips processed.

It will be seen that an improved method and means has been provided for a rapid and precise punching and processing of elongated paper and film webs. The method and means described are particularly useful for handling such webs as supplied and removed on relatively heavy spools and the web handling means is particularly adaptable for feeding the web from and returning it to such spools with a smooth feeding operation while at the same time providing a precisely controlled and intermittent feeding of the paper or film web intermediate the supply rollers. In addition, a precisely controlled combined punching and film exposing method and means have been described for sensitized film where an exact synchronization is obtained between the punching and the flashing operations. The improved processing method and means for the invention also have a novel and improved layout permitting fully automatic control for compensating for any improper feeding resulting from variations in web characteristics or the failure of any of the individual elements. An easily and precisely adjusted and easily supervised web processing process and apparatus results.

As various changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the parts and the process steps herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. A method of processing successive spaced portions of a web of light sensitive material of indeterminate length comprising the steps of advancing the web from a roll, thereafter forming a slack accommodating arrangement of the advanced Web, intermittently advancing the Web from the slack accommodating arrangement, perforating a length of the intermittently advanced Web during its dwell period, forming a slack accommodating arrangement of the processed web beyond the intermittently advanced portion, exposing said film beyond said second slack arrangement to a predetermined light pattern, and thereafter winding the web into a roll.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 which further comprises the steps of advancing the Web from the roll at one speed for a first slack accommodating arrangement including a first length of web, and advancing the web at a second higher speed for a second slack accommodating arrangement including a second length of web which is longer than said first length of web.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 in which said film is exposed by being continuously moved past a stationary light source over a rotating stencil.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1 which further comprises the steps of terminating the advancement of the Web from the roll when the slack arrangement of Web exceeds a predetermined length.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1 which further comprises the steps of synchronizing the movement of the intermittent web advancing with the movement of the film during its exposure to said predetermined light pattern whereby the perforations are positioned at a predetermined location on the web in relation to the position of the pattern formed on the web during its exposure.

6. Means for forming a series of spaced processed patterns on a web of light sensitive film of indeterminate length comprising the combination of means for supporting a spool of the web, means for withdrawing the web from the spool, means for forming slack loops of adjustable length in said web beyond said withdrawing means, means for intermittently advancing the web from the slack forming means, means for processing the web during the dwell period in the intermittently advancemet of the web, slack forming means beyond said intermittent advancing means, means beyond said slack means for exposing the web to a predetermined light pattern, and means for thereafter reforming said web in a spool beyond said second slack forming means.

7. The means as claimed in claim 6 in which said exposing means comprises a circular rotatably mounted stencil positioned for carrying said web past a light source, and said means for advancing said web and said stencil include sprockets for synchronizing the movements of said stencil and said means for advancing said web.

8. The means as claimed in claim 6 in which said web withdrawing means further comprises means for withdrawing the web at a plurality of different rates, and

means responsive to the length of the slack loops for selectively activating said web Withdrawing means.

9. The means as claimed in claim 6 which further comprises means for inactivating said web withdrawing means, and control means for said inactivating means operable responsive to the length of the slack loops.

10. The means as claimed in claim 6 which further comprises film engaging sprockets on said means for intermittently advancing said web and similar sprocket means on said web exposing means whereby the relative positions of the processing of the web during the dwell period is controlled with relation to the pattern formed on the web by the exposing means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,949,389 2/1934 Laroche --75 2,728,394 12/1955 Schulz 83620 XR 3,102,673 9/1963 Aronson et a1. 83-236 XR 3,209,644 10/1965 Simmon et a1 95-75 XR NORTON ANSI-1BR, Primary Examiner F. L. BRAUN, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 355-110, 132 

